How Much Americans Owe on Their Mortgages in Every State

The national average mortgage debt is $201,811, an increase of almost 3% from 2016, and up 9.49% from 2007.

States With the Highest and Lowest Mortgage Debt

Residents of Washington D.C. had the highest average mortgage debt for the second year in a row, at $406,035. California (~$347K) and Hawaii (~$342K) followed the District with the most mortgage debt.

People in West Virginia owed the least on their homes, with an average of $114,583 in mortgage debt.

Top 10 States with the Highest Average Mortgage Debt

Washington D.C.

$406,035

California

$347,652

Hawaii

$342,613

Maryland

$256,744

Massachusetts

$252,624

Washington

$250,467

New Jersey

$247,868

Virginia

$246,379

New York

$243,244

Colorado

$241,980

Source: Experian.com

Top 10 States with the Lowest Average Mortgage Debt

West Virginia

$114,583

Mississippi

$120,301

Indiana

$122,791

Arkansas

$126,481

Kentucky

$126,446

Ohio

$129,106

Iowa

$130,242

Oklahoma

$130,700

Michigan

$135,240

Nebraska

$136,882

Source: Experian.com

Changes in Mortgage Debt by State

North Dakota took the top spot with a whopping 40.66% increase in mortgage debt compared to last year. Residents of several other states, including Texas, Washington D.C. Oklahoma and Wyoming also increased the amount of mortgage debt significantly over 2016.

Top 10 States with the Highest % Increase in Mortgage Debt Compared to 2016

North Dakota

40.66%

Texas

23.85%

Washington D.C.

17.42%

Oklahoma

17.28%

Wyoming

16.72%

Louisiana

15.52%

Alaska

14.04%

New York

13.95%

Tennessee

13.81%

Montana

13.06%

Source: Experian.com

Top 10 States with the Highest % Increase in Mortgage Debt Compared to 2007

Massachusetts

100.3%

North Dakota

59.31%

Wyoming

36.9%

Texas

33.12%

Louisiana

30.65%

Oklahoma

29.44%

South Dakota

29.19%

Alaska

28.73%

Minnesota

28.46%

Montana

28.06%

Source: Experian.com

How Much Has Mortgage Debt Increased Since the Recession?

When looking at a longer time frame, Massachusetts mortgage debt doubled, from $126,332 in 2007 to $252,624 in 2017. North Dakota was second in line, with average mortgage debt increasing more than 59%.

On the other hand, Maine had a decrease in average mortgage debt by -34.96%. Missouri, Nevada, Arizona and Florida also decreased average mortgage debt compared to 2007, before the recession.

Top 10 States with the Lowest % Increase in Mortgage Debt Compared to 2016

Nevada

-6.07%

Arizona

-3.02%

Wisconsin

.81%

Illinois

.86%

New Mexico

1%

Michigan

1.08%

Ohio

2.12%

Florida

2.48%

Rhode Island

2.57%

Georgia

2.58%

Source: Experian.com

Top 10 States with the Lowest % Increase in Mortgage Debt Compared to 2007

Making mortgage payments in full and on time, every time will help you build a positive payment history and can improve your credit scores whereas missing payments or paying less than the full amount owed can harm your scores.

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